At a glance
(Kini Naholo 2, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Kini Naholo 2, Ricky Riccitelli tries; Daniel Waite 4 con, 2 pen) Siua Maile, Luke Campbell, Ben Strang, Tima Fainga’anuku tries; Brett Cameron 2 con) HT: 28-12.
(Brodie Mcalister 2, Isaiah Punivai, Ngane Punivai, Tom Christie, Dallas Mcleod tries; Fergus Burke 3 con, 2 pen, Chay Fihaki con) (Sam Tuifua, Alex Mcrobbie, Tevita Ofa, AJ Alatimu, Esau Filimoehala tries; Riley Hohepa 4 con, 2 pen). HT: 23-18
(AJ Lam, Roger Tuivasa-sheck, Blake Gibson tries; Harry Plummer con, 3 pen, Taufa Funaki con, Simon Hickey con)
(Macca Springer 2, Sione Havili Talitui, Fetuli Paea tries; William Havili 2 con, pen). 17-15
(TJ Perenara try; Aidan Morgan con, 4 pen)
(Lincoln Mcclutchie 4 pen). HT: 9-9
(Kohan Herbert, Tevita Mafileo, Emoni Narawa 2, Inga Finau, Lalamilo Lalamilo, Justin Snagster, Veveni Lasaqa tries; Lucas Cashmore 6 con, Manaaki Selby-rickit con) (Michael Manson 2, Solomon Alaimalo tries; Marty Banks 2 con, Robbie Robinson con). HT: 33-7 (Josh Dickson, Will Tucker, Josh Timu tries; Cam Millar 3 con, 2 (Damian Mckenzie, Bailyn Sullivan tries; Mckenzie 2 con, 2 pen) pen),
10-14
(Shaun Stevenson 3, Tamarau Mcgahan, Isoa Nasilasila, Jamie Booth tries; Bryn Gatland 6 con, 2 pen) Northland 21 (Sam Nock, Josh Goodhue, Tamati Tua tries; Rivez Reihana 3 con). HT: 27-21
Points (games played)
Odds conference: Waikato 31 (8), Wellington 28 (8), Bay of Plenty 26 (7), Hawke’s Bay 25 (8), Otago 21 (8), Counties Manukau 17 (7), Southland 4 (7).
Evens conference: Canterbury 36 (8), Auckland 25 (8), North Harbour 22 (8), Tasman 19 (8), Northland 18 (7), Taranaki 7 (11), Manawatū 3 (8).
A red card in a World Cup playoff against Costa Rica three months ago has cost Kosta Barbarouses a place in the All Whites squad for this week’s centenary matches against Australia.
The Wellington Phoenix striker started the last time the All Whites played the Socceroos, when they lost 3-0 at the
Adelaide Oval 11 years ago.
He would have loved a second crack at the country he called home during stints with Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, but Barbarouses was told a couple of weeks after the 1-0 defeat to
Costa Rica in June that he had been slapped with a two-game suspension for serious foul play.
Following video assistant referee intervention, Barbarouses was shown a red card for a rash challenge which connected with Francisco Calvo’s ankle 10 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
New Zealand Football was also fined 5000 CHF (NZ$8700) following the incident.
Barbarouses said he was absolutely gutted to be unavailable to play Australia in Brisbane on Thursday and Auckland on Sunday, especially as the second game will be the
All Whites’ first on home soil since 2017.
‘‘It’s really gutting,’’ Barbarouses said. ‘‘Apart from World Cup qualifiers or a World Cup itself, these are probably the worst games to miss because they’re the best ones to play in.’’
Barbarouses has a strong connection to Australia as he lived there for the best part of a decade.
He said it was a shame the All Whites and the Socceroos have barely played each other since Australia left the Oceania confederation.
Now 32, he hoped it would not be another 11 years before they met again.
‘‘I know they’re playing in Asia now but in terms of a rival they’re probably our main one, and that’s no disrespect to the island teams,’’ he said.
‘‘Historically when we do play against them, like at the MCG before the South Africa World Cup and how fiery that was, I think you, me and everyone would love to see it become an annual fixture if possible.
‘‘I know other codes most of their players are playing domestically so it’s a lot easier but if there’s any way we can make it even a biennial series, I think it’s a no-brainer for me.’’